In the quiet village of Itiam Etoi, nestled within the heart of Akwa Ibom State, a captivating tale involving the resilience of the Nigerian woman unfolded. This narrative revolved around an inheritance dispute that would forever change the lives of its central characters.
At the epicenter was Sampson Silas Udoh, whose beliefs clashed with his nieces, Mrs Bakabasi James and Miss Ndantiabasi Silas.
The story began with Sampson’s resolute insistence on becoming the sole inheritor of his late brother’s possessions. However, his chosen path directly clashed with his nieces, who strongly believed in their own unwavering conviction.
They firmly believed that their father’s house, standing on his own land, was rightfully their inheritance. A place they had called home since birth.
Turmoil enveloped their lives when they dared to assert their legitimate claims, as Sampson, unleashed chaos upon them.
As the tension escalated, the stage shifted to the legal realm, where the honorable Justice Ntong Ntong presided.
Within those hallowed halls, the principles of equality and justice assumed prominence. The judge strongly condemned gender bias, condemning Sampson’s inheritance denial to his nieces an affront to fairness.
Justice Ntong Ntong ruled unequivocally in favor of the plaintiff recognizing Sampson’s transgressions against their rights. The consequence was a demand for reparations.
Consequently, the court mandated Sampson to compensate the plaintiffs with N20 million for infringing upon their inheritance rights.
The ruling testified to the firm belief in gender-neutral inheritance rights, emphasizing their liberation from gender-based discrimination’s influence.
The journey leading up to this pivotal moment undoubtedly brimmed with challenges. Yet, Mrs James and Miss Silas stood their ground with an unshakable knowledge that set them apart.
Their awareness of unspoken rights empowered them to dream beyond the societal confines that often sought to restrict them.
In a culture where age-old traditions sometimes clashed with the soaring aspirations of women, these our rights emerged as guiding lights, illuminating the path for women like Mrs James and Miss Silas to boldly redefine norms and stake their rightful claim in a swiftly changing world.
Some rights of the Nigerian Woman
The Nigerian Constitution provides a framework for the rights and responsibilities of Nigerian citizens.
Understanding the constitution’s impact on Nigerian women’s right is vital, as it shapes their legal landscape and life’s navigation
Nigerian women faced historical marginalization, lacking equal opportunities in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and political participation.
However, in recent years, awareness of gender equality’s significance and the necessity to safeguard and advance women’s rights has grown.
Aligned with the global push for gender equality, Nigerian initiatives addressing women’s rights strongly corrolates with Sustainable Development Goal 5.
This objective recognizes the importance of eliminating bias, and violence against women and ensuring their meaningful engagement in the society.
A comprehensive understanding of women’s rights in Nigeria requires an examination of the laws that affect them.
These laws address issues like domestic violence, child marriage, discrimination against women and also issues on inheritance.
However, despite these legal provisions, implementation and enforcement remain major challenges.
Many women in Nigeria are still unaware of their rights and cultural practices often supersede legal protections.
It is crucial to bridge this gap by promoting legal literacy and creating awareness about the rights of women.
The Jurist newspaper in this read aims to give an overview on the ins and outs of the Nigerian woman rights according to Nigerian law.
Nigerian Women`s right to inheritance
Nigerian law recognizes the right of the Nigerian woman to inherit property and assets. The 1978 Land Use Act is a sure backing of that.
The legislation was a turning point for women’s inheritance rights. It guarantees women the right to own, hold, and inherit land.
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria also is a law that guarantees equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of gender. This includes the right to inherit property.
These constitutional provisions serve as a foundation for legal challenges against discriminatory inheritance practices.
Across cultures and throughout history, inheritance has been a cornerstone of family dynamics and wealth distribution.
In Nigerian societies, inheritance practices have often favored male heirs, perpetuating gender disparities in property ownership and economic empowerment.
However, in recent years, the tides are changing as legal reforms and societal shifts have brought women’s inheritance rights to the forefront, sparking conversations about equity, justice, and women’s empowerment.
Nigerian Woman rights to political participation
Political participation is a crucial right of the Nigerian woman.
In a country where citizens voices shapes policies and progress, political participation becomes a fundamental right for Nigerian women.
The Electoral Act, 2022 unequivocally safeguards the right to political participation for all citizens, regardless of gender.
Section 12(1) A & B of the electoral Act 2022 provides that: “A person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 18.”
This constitutional PROVISION confirms women’s equal rights to vote, run for elections, and influence community and national decisions.
In 2022, a significant milestone marked progress in the journey towards women political empowerment.
Funmi Falana of the Falana and Falana Chambers, along with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund and other critical stakeholders, led a victorious court case that upheld the 35 percent affirmative action for Nigerian women’s participation in politics.
As a result, this landmark decision solidified the commitment to ensuring a more balanced representation and greater gender equality in decision-making positions.
Acknowledging the imperative to expedite advancements, Nigeria has introduced diverse quota systems aimed at fostering women’s involvement in the political realm.
A notable illustration of this effort is the National Gender Policy, which underscores the dedication to attaining a minimum representation of 35% women in influential decision-making roles.
This policy framework actively encourages political parties and electoral entities to diligently work towards establishing a more equitable and comprehensive political milieu by ensuring a more proportionate presence of women.
This endeavor contributes to cultivating a political landscape that embraces diversity and inclusivity.
This court case victory and the subsequent affirmation of the 35 percent affirmative action represent a significant step forward in the journey towards achieving women’s active participation in Nigerian politics.
It reinforces the principle that political participation is a cornerstone of democracy, and by ensuring equal access for women, the nation can truly harness the power of its entire population in shaping its future.
Combating violence against women as a fundamental right
Throughout the years, Nigeria has nonetheless actively worked to tackle violence against women by putting different laws in place.
These laws are meant to safeguard the Nigerian woman, make sure their rights are respected, and give them the power to live lives without violence.
Some important laws are the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), the Child Rights Act, and the Criminal Code Act.
Just like in the case of, 20-year-old Akeem Quadri. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl without an option of a fine.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which came into effect in 2015, stands as a crucial law aimed at eradicating violence in both private and public spheres.
Its main goal is to stop all forms of violence against people, including women. This legislation provides robust protection and effective solutions for victims. It makes acts like rape, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, and harmful traditional practices illegal.
Similarly, In November 2022, Adewale Ibitoye was sentenced to life imprisonment for having sexual intercourse with his 14-year-old daughter according to Punch.
Additionally, the VAPP Act establishes special courts and organizations to deal with cases of violence against women. This ensures that trials happen quickly and that the rights of victims are safeguarded.
The law also highlights the importance of spreading awareness, preventing violence, and offering rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of violence and help survivors.
These positive court decisions have an impact that is profound and far-reaching by signifying a triumph for justice and signaling that society stands firmly against such heinous acts and supports survivors in their journey towards healing and closure.
A right to breastfeeding break
Yes! It may seem a shock but every breastfeeding worker (nursing mother) in Nigeria is entitled to a 1-hour break to feed her baby.
The Labour Act of 1971, a federal employment law, stipulates that nursing mothers within the workplace are entitled to a designated one-hour breastfeeding break, in addition to the standard one-hour break granted to all employees.
violation of these breastfeeding breaks results penalties in 800 naira penalty for first-time offenders and 1500 naira for repeat offenses.
Female employees are often mistreated and exploited regarding their work hours without their employers realizing they are engaging in actions that constitute federal offenses.
Moreover, the unjust treatment of nursing mothers showcases harmful practices and non-sexual gender-based violence often encountered by women at work.